How to Create YouTube Channel & Video Descriptions like a PRO (With Template)
You may have the perfect YouTube video, but how do you get people to actually see it? Learn what to put in your YouTube video and channel descriptions for more views, followers, and engagement.
Table of Contents
- Optimizing YouTube Channel Descriptions
- Tips for the Best YouTube Channel Descriptions
- YouTube Channel Description Checklist
- Template for an Optimized Channel Description
- How To Edit Channel Descriptions On YouTube
- How to Update YouTube Channel Tags
- YouTube Video Description Optimization
- Tips for Great YouTube Video Titles and Descriptions
- Great Examples of YouTube Descriptions
- Final Thoughts on Creating Great YouTube Descriptions
Before you hit “Publish Now” it’s important to optimize your YouTube channel and video descriptions for search engines. We’ve compiled our tips for creating the best, SEO-optimized channel and video descriptions on YouTube.
Optimizing YouTube Channel Descriptions
A YouTube channel description is the text on a channel’s “About” page. It helps viewers understand what to expect from your brand and is also the perfect place to highlight a page’s:
Below, we’ve laid out the recommended format for a YouTube Channel description. The details below are available to channel managers in the Customization section of your channel, under “Channel Customization”.
1. Description
- Tell viewers about your channel. It will appear at the top of the About section and in the search results, among other places.
- The YouTube description character limit is 1,000 characters.
- Tip: Set an upload schedule. This gives viewers an expectation about when your next video drops.
2. Details
This will be displayed on the front page of a channel, and will include the specific location selected and the official email address. This part is based on business and target audience data.
The channel email is available in the “Channel Customization” section under “Contact info”.
The channel country is available in “Channel customization” under settings→Channel→Country of residence.
3. Channel URL
The standard web address of the channel, including a unique channel ID.
4. Links
This is where you refer people to the page’s website and social media accounts. This is great for promoting your work outside of YouTube and gaining new followers.
The About Section (Front End and Back End)
The Editor Look:
Tips for the Best YouTube Channel Descriptions
Before learning tips on writing the most compelling and YouTube-SEO-friendly descriptions, keep in mind that description should be at least 250 characters long. Furthermore, the first 100 to 150 characters of your channel description are the most important.
Why? Because in search results, YouTube only shows 100 to 150 characters in the snippet next to your channel. This is the place to shine and entice viewers into watching your latest cute kitten videos.
Now for the YouTube Channel Description tips.
1. Keyword Research
Think of one word that describes your channel the best. This will be your Main Keyword, sometimes referred to as the “primary keyword” or “seed keyword”. Is it Cute Cat Videos (no, we are not obsessed with cats) or is it a Marketing Tips and Tricks? Narrow down your niche. The more specific the better.
Now, plug that Main Keyword into VidIQ to get an idea of the competition and keyword difficulty. In addition to that tool, we at yellowHEAD use other keyword tools that include agency growth kits for our SEO and User Acquisition client needs.
Certain types of tools are useful for analyzing keyword relevancy and trends. The top of tools are SEMrush, Google Keyword Planner, and Ahrefs.
A free tool that can be very useful in the research process is Google Trends, which gives insights by search term, specific keyword at a specific period of time, customized time range, competition, and most of all, by search type (which includes YouTube Search).
The best keywords have high search volume and low competition scores. However, if it’s super competitive and the channel is brand new, chances are it won’t show up on the search results page.
Instead of playing around with different keywords, try synonyms and other variations until finding a keyword that:
- Fits the channel perfectly.
- Has low competition.
In addition to the main keyword, come up with five additional keywords. These will be your secondary keywords. They’re an extension of the main keyword and give more meaning to the channel’s niche. Best of all, they will help YouTube rank the channel for more keywords.
Do not rush this process — it is an important step for getting results in the future.
P.S. This process is done for each individual video too.
2. Put Keywords Front and Center
Once finding the golden keywords, use them with your brand keyword (the company name) in the first 100-150 characters.
It should be set up in this format: Primary Keyword + Brand Keyword + Secondary Keywords
3. Use Complementary Keywords Throughout
In the rest of the description, use the main keyword two to three times at most. If used more than that, it may get flagged for keyword stuffing. Next, sprinkle those secondary keywords across the rest of the description. Using secondary keywords increases the chance of ranking for additional search terms.
Pro Tip: Add the main and secondary keywords as hashtags at the end of the description, after the CTA (only use five to avoid looking spammy).
4. Tell Viewers What to Expect
Let the viewers know what they might get out of your channel. Will they learn something new? See cute cat videos that will brighten their day? Get the latest performance marketing updates? Also, share how often to expect new videos. Daily? Weekly? Monthly?
5. Offer Value
Always include an obvious value proposition in descriptions. Why should someone subscribe to the channel? How will your video benefit them? Try to answer at least one of these questions in simple terms.
Make sure to always write for the viewer. What will benefit them? How will it make them feel?
If you reference outside sources, make sure to link to them.
6. Include CTAs
Now that you’ve captured the viewer’s attention, use it! Add CTAs (Call To Actions) in both video and channel descriptions. The best calls to action are clear, urgent, and show an obvious benefit to the viewer. Encourage viewers to like, comment, subscribe, or read more. Some examples include “Subscribe for more” or “Subscribe now”.
When done well, calls to action increase views, engagement, subscriptions, and whatever else you’d like your viewers to do.
More examples of CTAS for YouTube: Subscribe For More Daily How-To Videos or Subscribe Now For Weekly Cute Kitten Videos That Will Brighten Up Your Week.
7. Update Channel Tags
Channel tags are yet another way to tell YouTube what a channel is about. Include the main keyword, brand keyword, secondary keywords, and any other words that are relevant to your content. Don’t worry about search volume; just make sure to put the most important keywords, separated by a comma, at the very beginning.
YouTube Channel Description Checklist
Below is a YouTube channel description template that has proven to be a successful formula for many brands.
- About: State what the channel is about. Use the main keyword + brand + secondary keyword in the first 150 characters.
- Benefits: What benefits will the viewer get from watching your videos and following your channel? What can they expect to see? How often can they expect new content?
- Timestamps: Add timestamps with corresponding video section descriptions.
- Keywords: Use keywords across the entire description.
- Social Media & Sites: List social channels and other links you want the viewers to see.
- Use the Main Keyword Again: At the end of the description, use the main keyword again.
- CTA: Include a Call To Action.
- Hashtags: Use relevant hashtags throughout!
Template for an Optimized Channel Description
ABOUT [YOUR CHANNEL]
Welcome to the official YouTube Channel of [your channel name]!
[channel name] is a [main keyword] that puts a [adjective] spin on [whatever your brand does] and is one of the most popular [secondary keyword] among [target audience] .
[EXPECTATIONS/BENEFITS]
We upload [frequency: daily/weekly/monthly/etc.] videos featuring [what you offer – secondary keyword #1], as well as [what you offer – secondary keyword #2] and [what you offer – secondary keyword #3].
[CTA]
Subscribe today for [benefit] and [desired converting action eg. buy/download/click] to get started!
[HASHTAGS]
#MainKeyword #BrandName #SecondaryKeyword1 #SecondaryKeyword2
[SOCIAL CHANNELS]
GET MORE [channel name] FUN:
🌍 Check our website: [website URL when ready]
📸 Get inspired on Instagram: [@username]
🐦 Follow our Tweets: [Link]
📕 Join our Facebook Family: [Facebook page link]
▶️ Subscribe: [A direct link directly to your subscription page. Create this by adding “ ?sub_confirmation=1: “ to the end of your channel URL.
Pro Tip: Put links into a URL shortener like bitly. It will direct users directly to the subscription page.
How To Edit Channel Descriptions On YouTube
- From the YouTube homepage, click the top right corner with your image and select “Your Channel”.
- Select “Customize Channel”.
- Underneath “Channel Customization” there will be three tabs: Layout, Branding, and Basic Info.
- Select Basic Info.
- Update the channel name and description in the text boxes.
- Click ‘Publish’ to save changes.
How to Update YouTube Channel Tags
- Go to “Customize My Channel”.
- In the left bottom corner you will see “Setting”.
- Then click on Channel.
- Under “Basic Info” You will have a blank field with “Keywords”.
- This is where you add your comma separated tags.
Pro Tip: At the editor level, set the relevant country you’re currently based in to make the channel more trustworthy and audience oriented.
Once a channel is SEO optimized, it will slowly start appearing for the chosen keywords, given that you post consistently and on a regular basis that viewers and subscribers can expect.
The next step is to optimize each video before it’s published and try to get as much engagement as possible in the first 24 hours. That means promoting it throughout social media channels.
Great Examples of YouTube Channel Descriptions
Example 1: Think Media
Example 2: Bundesliga
Example 3: Vox
Bonus: YouTube Video Description Optimization
The guidelines for video descriptions on YouTube are similar to channel descriptions, but with one addition: timestamps! Include timestamps to different important sections of the video. This is one example:
1:00 Cute kittens chasing each other
2:50 Puppy chasing a kitten
Tips for Great YouTube Video Titles and Descriptions
- Keep titles to 70 characters or less (the video title limit is 100 characters).
- Capitalize the first letter of each word in your title.
- Use the main keyword at the beginning of the video title.
- Use Headline Analyzer to review your final title.
- Each video description limit is 5,000 characters. Keep it simple and describe the main idea of the video.
- Add three main hashtags at the end of your video title. These hashtags will appear above the title. (Example: #VideoMainKeyword #VideoSecondaryKeyword #BrandName)
- Use hashtags within the description
- Use numbers and other characters “({[\|” etc to draw attention
- Include a CTA
Basic Title Template
(Any combination of a Keyword, Something that Sparks Interest + A Numeral ) + CTA ) | Brand Name
Example: 11 YouTube Video Tips: Optimize For Rankings! | Brand Name
Final Thoughts on Creating Great YouTube Descriptions
There are many strategies for writing amazing YouTube channel and video descriptions that can help people and brands grow visibility and increase engagement. However it’s done, the most important thing is to be authentic and write naturally. This will keep your viewers entertained and coming back again and again.
Looking for YouTube Optimization Services or just have a question? Contact us!
For more professional tips on SEO, ASO, marketing and more, see the yellowHEAD Blog and sign up for the newsletter.
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